Here is the craft you can create to donate to dementia patients in need in Edinburgh

The sensory blankets and twiddle muffs are said to significantly reduce stress and anxiety in dementia patients

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An Edinburgh nurse is appealing to craft lovers across the city to use some of their free time in lockdown to create some activity mats for dementia patients in the region.

Siobhann Keay, a Dementia Nurse Consultant for NHS Lothian, took to social media to ask for the craft donations to ease patients anxiety when they are admitted to hospital that will be handed out at wards all over the city. Siobhann explained that the mats, although simple and small, can make a huge difference to the patients mental wellbeing whilst receiving hospital treatment:

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"Hospital admissions can be difficult at anytime for people living with dementia. However this is likely to be more stressful due to the current Covid-19 pandemic due to the restrictions on visiting across hospital sites.

"This can be difficult for everyone but especially people living with dementia. To try and reduce any distress and anxiety we are looking to make activity boxes for patients to provide occupation but also to reduce anxiety and distress.

"We would like to be able to include twiddle muffs and or fiddle mats. Twiddle muffs and fiddle mats provide sensory stimulation for people living with dementia. They keep restless hands busy and can soothe and provide comfort for people who may be distressed or anxious."

Twiddle muffs are woolen mittens which have sensory items attached to them. They can be knitted together fairly quickly and are an ideal challenge for knitters across the city, instructions for which can be found here.

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